OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
FALL SEMESTER HEADCOUNT ENROLLMENT AND PROJECTIONS

Enrollment at Oklahoma State University showed a decrease for the Fall 2008 semester with a headcount of 22,768. While any drop in enrollment is always a concern, it is important to look at contributing factors. In the past six years, the number of Bachelor degrees granted has increased by more than 800 (27%), with Oklahoma State University granting over 3,800 Bachelor degrees in 2007-2008 versus 3,000 in 2001-2002. In addition to the recent senior classes being the largest in more than 20 years, graduation rates have continued to improve. Oklahoma State University’s most recent 6-year graduation rate is 60.1% which is the highest in school history. The 4-year and 5-year graduation rates of 32.1% and 53.8% respectively are also the highest in at least 30 years.

The projections for future years presented in this section are mathematical models based on past trends in applications, admitted students, and subsequent enrollments, as well as retention rates and forecasts of high school graduates. Forecasts for Oklahoma high school graduates show numbers fluctuating over the next four years. Because the OSU freshman class is made up of more than 75% Oklahoma residents, these forecasts are the primary source of projection numbers for freshman enrollment. The forecasts of Oklahoma high school graduates used in this section are based upon information from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education. They assume that demographic trends such as immigration into and emigration out of the state will remain relatively constant.

Graduate enrollment at OSU continued to increase for the Fall 2008 semester. This is especially encouraging considering graduate enrollment typically declines during upswings in the economy and improving job markets that are currently occurring in Oklahoma. The increase is also a positive sign after several years that showed substantial increases in graduate degrees granted.

In summary, several factors affect enrollment projections at OSU. Some of these factors depend on policy decisions originating with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and others depend on recruitment policies set by OSU administration. The impact of these policies, as well as changing admissions, enrollment, retention, scholarship, and recruiting practices, all have a role in determining future enrollment at Oklahoma State University. The Office of Institutional Research & Information Management will continue to monitor developments in these areas and assess their impact on enrollment.